THE headmaster of Westminster
Abbey Choir School, Britain's most prestigious school for choristers, has
been told to resign by the abbey's dean and chapter following months of
acrimony in which some parents have accused him of "psychological bullying".

Roger Overend was summoned to
the abbey's Jerusalem Chamber last Friday, suspended from duty and instructed
to leave his job. The same evening, parents learnt in a letter that he would
be away for the weekend.

Overend is resisting the attempt
to oust him, but has asked the National Association of Head Teachers to
negotiate a package on his behalf.

A friend said the headmaster
was "shell-shocked" by the decision, following eight months of bitter conflict
between the parents and the abbey authorities. Four of the school's 37 boys
have been withdrawn and one expelled.

The suspension is thought to
have come about following a change of heart by Wesley Carr, the Dean of
Westminster, who appointed Overend to his post in 1997. Carr had told parents
that the headmaster enjoyed his full confidence. An abbey insider said this
weekend: "Carr finally snapped when he realised that a council report critical
of the school and abbey is about to be published. He had to be seen to act."

Parents believe the problems
at the school could have been solved if the dean and his fellow governors
had listened to their complaints earlier. Michael Beckett, whose son used
to attend the school, said: "The whole human tragedy could have been avoided
if the dean had handled the matter with sensitivity and understanding."

The dispute came to a head 12
days ago when Christopher Besse, the school's doctor, tendered his resignation.
While Besse has refused to comment publicly, it is believed he diagnosed
a number of the school's 37 boys as suffering from stress.

The battle started last September
when the parents of one of the four withdrawn boys accused Overend of making
their son leave his bed at night and go to the library, where Overend shouted
at him. The abbey started a seven-week investigation, but Overend was not
subjected to disciplinary action. The row appears to have affected demand
for places at the school. A recent audition for boy choristers attracted
only four for six places. Additional reporting: Joe Perry